Training has definitely stepped up a level!

The Competition!

A few weeks ago I was invited to a Greg Whyte training day at the National Training Centre. The event was hosted by Glacéau vitamin water, I had very little information, so did not really know what to expect, other than some hard work! Everybody came by train together from London; coming from the country, I drove! The other girls who were invited were six journalists from glossy mags. I did ask the question “how did you find me?” and was informed that I had been picked up because of my blog .. so the marketing does work!

Greg was an Olympic Athlete (Modern Pentathlon – Barcelona 1992). He is now involved in training at various levels to teams & individuals. After a quick tour of the National Training Centre; where most of our elite athletes spend some time, we got changed for a session on the rowing ergos. It was an intense 30 minute session, working flat out with very little rest, pushing yourself to work at maximum effort, with high lactic acid build up. (All a bit technical I know …. there was lots of burn in the legs and bum!)  Jess (2nd in from the left) was my main competition; I think she just beat me in each of the timed row session (I put that down to youth!)

Refreshments

After much needed and welcome refreshments, provided by Glacéau vitamin water, we had a chance to chat to Greg and pick his brains. The best piece of advice for me was get to know your team mates as well as possible, as the better your work together the more enjoyable the experience, and the better the result. I have my first team walk with Rob and Lucy next Saturday!

I have also been spending time down the gym with Tommy. You would think that it would get easier, but every time the day after I have aching muscles! For the last 2 weeks we have played this card game (well Tommy has and I’ve worked!) There is a set exercise for each suit, eg  press-ups (Spades), 10KG medicine Ball Slam (Hearts), TRX Pull Ups (Clubs) and Jumps onto a bench 18″ off the ground (Diamonds). You have to do as many exercises as the number on the card, 10 of hearts would be ten ball slams; Jacks are 11, Queens are 12 and Kings are 13. You end up doing 91 repeats of each exercise. The jokers give you a 60 second rest. Yesterday the jumps nearly killed me, especially as I had to do 28 in a row (a jack, a nine and an 8!) I reckon that Tommy fixed the deck!

I have pulled TT (the tyre) 3 times so far this week, and am ready to take ownership of the Landrover tyre. I get lots of comments when out: “I could give you a lift to Kwik-Fit”, “That must be tyre-ing”, ” Can I have a ride?” I am going to take TT Nordic Walking tomorrow which will be very hard work up and down Salisbury Plain. I will let you know how it goes!!

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